Ipswich Music Workshops

I provide a variety of music workshops in the Ipswich area and further afield including composition, electric guitar technique and Deaf-friendly music sessions.

The content of the workshops is often tailor-made for each group and so can vary, but current workshop options include:

Recipes For Songwriting

These workshops focus on some of the most effective methods for generating song ideas. One example is Question and Answer Phrasing, which is about balancing ‘tension’ and ‘release’ and is a powerful way of composing melodies and riffs.

Other compositional tools that can be developed in workshops include Pedal Point, Seeking Out The Gaps and Sequencing. Ideally suited to GCSE level and above but adaptable to younger age groups.

 

Six String Signs

Based on my beginner’s guitar course for Deaf students released earlier this year, these sessions provide a fun, highly visual and accessible way of learning guitar. I use BSL throughout as well as audio visualizers, adapted notation and sign song.

Songs that can be covered include ‘Smoke on the water’, ‘Thunder’ and ‘Ho Hey’. These workshops have fortunately proved popular with hearing students too and also with those who may appreciate the specialised methods used, such as many of my autistic students.

Music Production ‘Challenges’

These workshops combine composing and producing skills in a fun challenge format. For example, one session focuses on writing and structuring rock riffs alongside using appropriate VST effects and mixing levels effectively.

Another session explores funk rhythm and harmony, use of syncopation and dynamics alongside using EQ and panning to create space for each instrument in the mix. Please see below for an example handout of one session:

 

Other areas that can be covered in workshops include: film music (including how to approach composing effectively and use of cue sheets) and guitar technique focuses (eg. I have previously provided workshops on Rock-specific techniques such as palm-muting, bending and legato)

Examples of workshops

In April 2025, I delivered beginner guitar workshops tailored for Deaf students using a visualiser/spectogram, sign song, adapted notation and BSL explanations throughout. These sessions took place in Watford Palace Theatre as part of the ‘Enrich Festival’. I delivered the same workshops recently at Suffolk County Show near Ipswich. Please see below for pictures of one of these sessions in action:

The following testimonial is from another workshop in which I used paper instruments as a basis for composition:

‘Tom was very engaging and knowledgeable about the subject. He was very helpful and gave a good explanation, whilst clearly demonstrating step by step what we had to do. He made this workshop fun and enjoyable for my daughter and I as well as everyone else’ – Rukhsana Saghir

I am experienced at teaching students with SEN and have worked for 10 years teaching instrumental tuition, music production and composition in an Autism Specialist School in Hertfordshire (Roman Fields, Hemel Hempstead) and to an autistic student in Delrow Community, Aldenham. I am also proficient in BSL and always aim to make my music tuition as accessible as possible for Deaf students.

If you are interested in speaking with me about any area of music education, please see the Contact page of this website.

I have a current enhanced DBS certificate, a level 3 PTLLS certificate, an ‘Autism Awareness in Education’ certificate and hold a full UK driving licence.